Members of the Development Authority of Jones County met with the Board of Commissioners last week in the first of what is hoped to become quarterly dialogue sessions between the members.

Development Authority Executive Director Kathyjo Gordon opened the April 1 meeting with that request for better communication between the entities, and she expressed the board’s appreciation for the inclusion of Griswoldville Park on the SPLOST project list.

She told the commissioners that the development authority has three strategic plan goals – supporting existing industry, business development, and infrastructure.

Gordon said the next authority meeting is scheduled for April 15, and it will focus on existing industry. She said the owners of existing businesses have been invited to the meeting with the purpose of understanding why they chose Jones County, what is going well, and what may need to change.

The director said, within the last nine months, Authority members have challenged themselves to look at all economic development opportunities, and retail recruitment continues to be brought up.